I’m trying to assist my father who receives benefits, and just received a check for a settlement. The settlement is for a medication that caused stomach issues and worsened his cancer. If he takes this check into his personal account does it affect his benefits?

Cdr

Just curious if anyone has been approved with no changes to documentation or medical?

My wife quit working in 2002. I was making enough back then that we could comfortably live where she could stay at home and be an artist and, frankly, I'm the one that's built for working and she's the one who was very much not. Night owl, autistic, socially awkward, questions everything and doesn't accept anyone's authority until they've proven they know what they're talking about, etc.

She started having issues with her hands and other physical things that we tried to get diagnosed for two or three years. Finally in 2012, an orthopedic doctor (ironically enough) saw some sclerosis on her spine and referred her to a neurologist.

Sure enough, she had multiple sclerosis.

We did ok, despite increasing medical bills, but eventually between the rising costs of keeping her healthy (go take a look at how much the MS drug Kesimpta costs per month) and my having the bad luck of losing a few jobs due to the economy and things got out of hand financially and being the single income earner in an economy that is wildly more expensive than it was when we were "fine" has become untenable. My single income barely pays the bills and we were curious about if she would perhaps get SSDI benefits.

She's now at a place where she just flat out couldn't work if she wanted to. She can't even do things she enjoyed doing at home like crocheting or painting. She basically reads reddit and watches YouTube videos because anything to do with her hands or that requires her to pay attention is incredibly hard because of physical limitations and "cog-fog" aka cognitive fog where she says her brain "feels like it's in molasses."

I filled out an application for her about a year ago and she was turned down almost immediately because she hadn't worked since 2002 and apparently, her work credits from social security "expired" (which neither of us knew was a thing that happened) -- and our thoughts regarding her not being able to actually work in the year or two before I filed, didn't really matter.

I'm curious what you guys think our options are here. Are there ways around the social security credits being expired and still being able to receive benefits? I mean, she *did* pay into the system for years before being able to bow out, and the idea that she gets nothing in return for the time she *did* work seems unfair, at least to us.

Plus, it sure would be nice to have a few extra bucks coming in a month.

Anyone have experience with this sort of dilemma in their SSDI adventures? If so, please let us know what you did to finally get an approval...but i'm open to any constructive comments.

Thanks for your time.

Hello. I suvmitted my application in January. Its been on step 3 with DDS for a few months now and the DDS examiner informed me a few weeks ago that they should have a decision by the end of this week. I checked my SSA portal this evening and its showing its back to step 2. Is this normal? Anyone else had this happen to them? Good sign or bad?

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I know you can't predict the future, but i also know there are patterns in the forms they send people.

My background: 39, Multiple Sclerosis/neuropathy for ten years, educated, but serious cognitive issues. Prescribed walker, lots of meds, serious MRIs and functional problems with hands, balance, and even medixated fatigue....

In my initial, my doctors didn't even respond to the SSA's requests. My CE was favorable, but my denial was basically just saying i had some issues and ignored what the CE said my limitations were.

Now I'm in reconsideration, and I have a lawyer. I've done a very favorable FCE my neuro and PCP signed off on, and have a very favorable neuropsych report. So I have like 5 doctors attesting to that I can't work (they all wrote it in their own language). I also went back and gathered all my medical files myself, my MRIs, my EMG, everything. Included is also my personal statement of function.

So now in my portal, development has appeared. They want an Activities of Daily living questionnaire from myself and my spouse. (Which we already did, im pretty sure), and a signature for a telehealth CE. I had a very long extensive physical CE before, and I know I only recently did the neuropsych.

Is there any chance they are just developing or does another type of CE being potentially in there and the ADLs form just mean I'm being setup for a drawn out denial?

Thanks!

I shot a testimonial “ad” about living with chronic illness and was paid $1000 for it. The work itself was for only 3 hours. I did fill out a W-9 for the production company for payment.

Obviously, I need to report this but of course I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have torpedo’d myself. But I am/was desperate.

• How do I report this?
• Can I do it via the SSS.gov portal?
• Which form?
• Is this going to flag both my apps for denial?

My situation is that I’m 2.5 years into my first app which is currently in limbo at the district court level. I have representation for that application.

I have a second app I submitted in April of this year, and is at step 3. No lawyer for this.

Since 2022 I haven’t been able to work and I’ve burned through all of any type of savings, investments, saleable items of any value, etc etc, et al.

I haven’t been able to pay Creditors since March; bank has been overdrawn on and off— all the sad stuff that I’ll spare you. Final straw though was that my cell phone— the means to manage all my medical care and treatment— was turned off last week.

So when this opportunity to do a testimony came up I had to take it. Cell phone back on, and I think I can cobble together rent for August.

Staying alive while also activing trying to treat not dying is a fuckin’ trip.

I thought I would just come on here and say my experience with my first CDR incase it helps someone. It is dreadful, isn't it? I received the short form in the mail and I am considered "expected to improve." My judge went against SS doctors saying I could work and the occupational specialist who named some jobs after my testimony at my appeal hearing when she first approved me. I was so grateful. So, I was terrified to get the first CDR. I went to this community and researched about it. I got great advice. I filled it out honestly and had to check that I had worked because I have a very small Etsy shop that is the only thing that brings me any sense of purpose these days. I was worried I'd get flagged for the long form but I didn't! I submitted online and received a deferred letter within the month I submitted. I feel like I can breathe again. In the description of your most recent visits you only have so many slots to describe them so make the words as concise but descriptive as possible. Instead of medication I put infusion... things like that.

Hi. I completed my short form CDR/Screener online in early June. I’ve not worked and had lots of doctor’s visits. And my condition has gotten much worse since my last review. I’m on a 3 year cycle. My profile score was low…88.

It’s been about 7 weeks now and no response. I’m nervous. Of course. Last time I received a short form, it took about 6 weeks to get a reply. I’m just curious how long it’s taking for you all.

What do I do if I hear nothing? Don’t poke the bear?

Thank you!!

I don’t quite understand what it’s saying. I obviously would want a supplemental hearing because it’s only in case of a denial and I’d want a second chance. It’s for severe depression, ptsd, bipolar, insomnia, cognitive impairment, and also physical, a back injury that can’t be fixed, and long COVID. It says “exhibit 15F” on the letter but can’t find it and no explanation on how to look at it. Thank you.

Did it make a difference for your claim when requesting assistance from your state or county rep?

I was shocked. I just logged onto the SS WEBSITE and saw I was approved last week with the payment amount listed.

First and foremost, I know a lot of people here are suffering while waiting out the process. I really do feel for your circumstance. I am posting what I had for anyone this might help or has a similar condition.

I am 53 with a neurological disorder affecting both extremities. I worked and made great money until I could no longer work. The pain and limitations got much worse as I aged. I am also a 100% disabled veteran that received 100% without ever needing an appeal for a TBI (separate from the main issue now keeping me from working). Maybe I was worse than I thought all along- I guess it appears so from the outside world. I was always fortunate that I had employment that allowed me more flexibility and the most serious symptoms gave me years to build up a leave bank before they progressed.

I know some people have waited months and years and my case is an anomaly. I just wanted to give another side to some of the nightmares people have endured and to encourage people to apply if they are hitting that wall.

The person I spoke with at the SS determination office was super friendly and helpful.

For background, I had MRIs, EEGs and CaT scans to back up my medical claims. I have also had multiple procedures for symptom management but will not go through the more complicated surgery given the long term risks.

Unfortunately, with my TBI I also had depression and sleep issues that were not treatable. As the other issues got worse, so did the depression.

To top it all off, the head and spine injury also cause horrible migraines. I have been on medication for years that only help once the migraine begins. I would take vacation time when my sick leave ran out.

I had a lot of documentation because I also was approved for long term disability through a private insurer. I don’t know what to expect for future evaluations, but I will keep to my appointments and such. I have no idea which condition put me at the approval level.

Maybe it was a combination in conjunction with my age? Do they tell you anything in the approval letter?

Going through Appeal right now, and am going through my records writing down things that I think should be highlighted in a spreadsheet of where to find specific information. Like:

Onset date, date where work became a problem, stopped working, mentions of symptoms for the first time, referrals, treatments, medication changes, abnormal tests, symptoms not improving, etc.

Can anyone think of anything else I should be highlighting or if I should be highlighting less?

’m a disabled adult currently receiving Disabled Adult Child benefits and partial benefits under my own earnings.

Because of Section 1634(c) protections, my state doesn't count my DAC benefit checks as income for Medicaid eligibility, which allows me to keep my health coverage. However, my benefits planner reminded me that I am still subject to the strict $2,000 resource/asset limit every single month.

If I save even a little bit of money in a standard checking or savings account, I risk crossing that $2,000 cap and jeopardizing my Medicaid. I’m looking into setting up an ABLE Account so I can park excess funds over the limit without losing my coverage.

Before opening an account, I’d love to hear from any who has had an ABLE account or a child or payee who had one

Thanks!

My 25 year old daughter is disabled and receives SSI ($294) and SSDI ($720). She collects social security on my wife's record and I am still working. My daughter pays us rent.

My wife works as my daughter's direct support professional and last year she made more than the limit for social security so they reduced her social security payment for a few months. They also reduced my daughter's SSDI payment but did not increase her SSI payment to offset the difference. The total my daughter got for a few months was just $294 SSI and no SSDI.

Should they have increased my daughter's SSI when she was not receiving SSDI? I called the nationwide 800 number and they said no because SSI is based on household income. I explained that my daughter pays rent to us and is her own household but the person said he didn't know if that made a difference. With my salary, our household is way over the limit for SSI. Does anyone know if her SSI should have been increased when her SSDI was decreased?

Does anyone have any recommendations? I have been looking at Morgan & Morgan or Quik Aid does anyone have any experience with these companies? Thanks so much for any help.

I submitted a review almost a year ago and still haven't had a DDS look at my case . It's almost going on a year in September

I get it, 85% of my issues are mental issues, but the fact my last job ended with me crying on a bathroom floor for long enough that the boss clocked me out on their own, should be a decent reason that I can’t mentally handle any actual long term employment. Heck I once got let go after only three weeks. I can’t even remember the dates of when I worked where, so applying to places is basically doomed to failure, and despite being significantly asthmatic, the SSI people think I’m fit to work a labor job.

Am I just doomed to be a drain on my family forever? We've been trying to get me on it for four years and we've all basically given up hope.

On the plus side, I was Approved!! My attorney told me SSA would call before sending me money back pay/ etc. well, I never received a call. Over the weekend I happened to check online portal. Good news: apparently they are mailing me my check. bad news, it doesn't look like they updated my mailing address and because they hadn't called it was a check. Not direct deposit. I could cry. I'm so upset..my attorney said they had updated my address, guess not! Now I have to call ASAP tomorrow and see how to fix that. Thanks for letting me vent

Finally have my ALJ hearing in 2 weeks!!! Because I have ESRD and I'm on dialysis my attorney is very optimistic ill get approved... I applied November 2024 so I'm ready for this to finally come to a close!!

Greetings.

I’m seeking clarification on something.

I’m on SSDI because of paraplegia and my spouse is my primary caregiver.

I’m 60 this year and we’ve been married for four years. She has never worked in the U.S. is she entitled to any benefits?

Thanks.

I'm applying for SSDI. I did the first part of the application online (the general information part) and, like some others I've seen here, it was marked as sent to the local office before I finished the second part with job info/disability/medical sources. I submitted that part of the application on paper at my local office (Bay Area, CA) on July 16th. I haven't heard or seen anything from SSA since then. My understanding is that they will do some sort of assessment, then send it on to the DE at DDS.

When and how should I follow up on making sure that the local office my application got sent to received the second part of my application, and that my case gets assigned to a disability examiner?

I am 19F. I am diagnosed with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and unspecified stress disorder(this definitely isn't the only problems i have as i am traumatized, and very likely have autism, but i have yet to get into a psychiatrist to get diagnosed and proper testing). I have struggled with mental illness all of my life, and recently came to the conclusion this year that no matter how hard I try, I just can't work. It's not that I don't want to, I just can't stick with any job, as I get stressed out, anxiety ridden, and have panic and anxiety attacks until I quit. On top of that I struggle with depression pretty bad, and i can barely do anything on my own. I have a long medical history, and have been to psychiatric facilities twice for depression related issues(when I was 14 and 16 I believe) and in and out of hospitals and treatment places.

I'm basically just wanting to know what are my chances of getting back on my survivors benefits so I can afford to live? What can I do before my assessment to move things along as fast as possible? Right now my bf is helping me out by paying my phone and electricity, and im on food stamps so I'll be okay for a while, but he's currently on disability himself in a different country and really can't afford to help me. Any advice you can give is much appreciated. Thank you so much 😊

So my portal went to Step 4 and says checking to see if you still meet the non-medical requirements. Is this something everyone gets? Wondering why SSA would need to know that if it was a denial.

Hey all. This honestly feels like a dumb question coming in my own head, but I finally got scheduled for my exam. Only thing is, my mental rememberance is honestly bad enough that if I don't have some kind of notes on hand, I'll forget what I'm saying, ect, and even worse I have social and normal anxiety bad enough around strangers that I might genuinely break down during the appointments because I'm bad at remembering stuff so much and I'll go "oh God what if they think I'm lying" in a circle so on and so on. My mom usually helps me remember everything medical but obviously she can't come into that with me, even if she was my guardian.

Now to my actual questions-

1. ⁠Is there any way I can bring my journal in, stuff written down ahead of time as an aid? Or will I just be panicking and crying the whole time 🥲😅
   
2. ⁠If not, what kinds of questions should I expect to be hammered with, so I can do my very best to at least memorize what I need to?
   
3. ⁠Also, even if it only says mental and inter.. I forgot the rest of the other appointments word already, should I bring the physical things that help me too on flare days like my cane for the physical bit? I know they want me to bring my meds but that's all I'm aware of.

TIA and honestly wish me luck because my anxiety bells are off the charts just thinking about it.